In the past, employees were expected to leave their personal lives at home. Today, we know that people bring their whole selves to work. Managers often face situations where an employee's personal life affects their job, and they struggle to cope.

There are two common approaches: one is to keep things strictly professional, and the other is to allow employees to bring their personal lives into work. HR often sits in the middle, trying to balance supporting employees without crossing lines that could cause problems for the company.

Here are three simple ways to support employees facing personal issues:

Listen to Them: Sometimes, all someone needs is to be heard. Like coaches, you don't need to give advice. Just listen and let them talk. Talking things out can help people understand their own thoughts.

The Three Ps: Ask these three questions to help them think clearly about the situation:

• Is it Personal? Did they cause it, or did someone do it to them? For example, a car accident isn't personal.
• Is it Permanent? Will it last for years, or can it be resolved quickly? Most problems, like a car accident, are temporary.
• Is it Pervasive? Does it affect everything else? Problems can seem bigger than they are, but many can be managed without impacting other areas of life.

Refer to HR: As a manager, you're there to support, not solve. If the issue is beyond what you can handle, refer the employee to HR, where they can access counselling, healthcare, or other resources.

In short, listen, ask the Three Ps, and refer to someone qualified if needed.